RADIO
Darren Waller Remains Limited With Toe Injury
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller (toe) was limited in Thursday's practice, according to Joe Person, matching his estimated participation from Wednesday's walkthrough. Waller dealt with the same injury ahead of Carolina's Week 4 victory over Detroit but was able to play, catching three passes for 36 yards. The 34-year-old has recorded 13 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns on 19 targets through four games, with both scores coming against Atlanta in Week 2. His involvement has increased recently, drawing 14 targets over his last two appearances and turning those opportunities into eight catches for 87 yards. That usage offers some encouragement for fantasy managers, although Waller hasn't found the end zone since Week 2. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (ribs) has also been limited this week, leaving Carolina with some uncertainty at the position ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Waller remains a potential streaming option in deeper leagues.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Darren Waller Carries Limited Week 6 Streaming Appeal
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller returns from his Week 5 bye having drawn 14 targets over his last two games, but a difficult matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles makes him a risky fantasy option. Waller has caught 13 of 19 targets for 148 yards and two touchdowns through four games, with both scores coming against Atlanta in Week 2. His involvement increased against Cleveland and Detroit, although those 14 targets produced only eight receptions for 87 yards. Waller also played just 53% of Carolina's offensive snaps against the Lions, with Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans continuing to see substantial playing time. The Panthers could also welcome back Jalen Coker (quadriceps), who is reportedly on track to return after missing Week 4. Philadelphia has generally defended opposing tight ends well, adding another obstacle for a player whose fantasy production has been inconsistent outside his two-touchdown outing. Rostered in just 16% of leagues, Waller remains worth considering in 14-team formats, but his uncertain workload makes him a touchdown-dependent streaming option rather than a priority waiver addition.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Tavion Sanders is Buried on Depth Chart
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was hopeful to take a step forward in 2026, but that doesn't appear to be the case right now. The 23-year-old has yet to play a game this season and has fallen to probably fourth on the depth chart. At the moment, Sanders is likely behind Darren Waller, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans for playing time in Carolina right now. The former fourth-round pick finished with 342 receiving yards during his rookie season in 2024. Sanders hasn't been able to capitalize on it and is unlikely to play unless an injury or two occur at some point.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Darren Waller Could Hit Waiver Wires with Panthers on Bye
In a Week 4 win played without one of the team's leading receivers, Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller caught only three passes for 36 yards. With Jalen Coker (quadriceps) sidelined by a quadriceps injury, the passing offense was funneled primarily through second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who set or matched career highs across the board with 14 receptions on 16 targets, 192 yards, and two touchdowns. Still, despite a quiet outing, Waller remains a critical piece of one of the league's most improved offenses. Following a disappointing performance, and with the Panthers on a Week 5 bye, he is likely to hit waivers in a number of leagues, making the 34-year-old veteran an intriguing stash candidate for contending teams with adequate bench space. Unfortunately, the Panthers face an Eagles team in Week 6 that has been the most difficult tight end matchup through the first month of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller Comes Up Short in Favorable Spot
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller had a favorable setup Sunday night and did very little with it. Waller caught three of six targets for 36 yards in the 32-26 win over Detroit, a disappointing result against a defense that had already allowed six touchdowns to tight ends through three games. The opportunity was there, too. Carolina played without Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette, while Bryce Young threw 41 passes for 329 yards. Waller still finished well behind Tetairoa McMillan, who dominated the passing game with 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran also played only 53% of the offensive snaps as Mitchell Evans and Tommy Tremble remained heavily involved. Waller has now gone two straight games without a touchdown after scoring twice in Week 2. With Carolina heading into its bye, his fantasy stock has cooled considerably.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller a Priority Streaming Option in Week 4
The Carolina Panthers' receiver room is battling injuries, but tight end Darren Waller should see more targets in Week 4. Waller was dealing with a toe injury leading up to Week 4, but was off the injury list and a full practice participant on Friday. The veteran has hauled in 10 receptions on 13 targets for 112 yards this season, and his target share should spike in Week 4 since receiver Xavier Legette (knee) is out and Jalen Coker (quad) is questionable to play. Detroit has struggled to contain tight ends this season and is allowing a league-high 299.3 passing yards per game. Even if Coker plays, Waller is a priority streaming option against a struggling Detroit D.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darren Waller a Premier Tight End Streamer Ahead of Week 4
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller was heavily involved in his team's passing game in their Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, recording five catches for 51 yards on eight targets. The 34-year-old has gotten off to a solid start to the season, hauling in 10 receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets across three games. Waller's increased usage came after Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) left the game with a quad strain. Coker reportedly avoided serious injury, but his status for Carolina's Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions is up in the air. Even if Coker plays, Waller could be in position for a big game in Week 4. The Lions' pass defense has really struggled to begin 2026 and has already given up six receiving touchdowns to tight ends this season. In leagues where he's available on the waiver wire, Waller profiles as a priority tight end streamer for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller a Red-Zone Threat in Week 3
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller is a touchdown threat in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns. Waller's receiving volume figures to stay low, but if you are in dire need of a start at the position, Waller could deliver. The Panthers should find themselves in scoring position often on Sunday, and the team clearly wants to get Waller heavily involved around the goal line. He scored two touchdowns in Week 2 and had a touchdown called back due to a penalty in Week 1. Waller has yet to earn more than three targets in a game this season, so he is very touchdown-dependent. However, he is about as good a bet as anyone to score a touchdown in Week 3. Additionally, Cleveland has allowed at least 8.8 fantasy points to the opposing team's starting tight end in each game this season. If you are struggling with poor play at tight end, Waller could provide streaming value this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller Showing Great Red-Zone Chemistry with his QB
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller has shown a strong connection with Bryce Young in his first two games with the Panthers, making an immediate impact after joining the team in August. He didn't play in the preseason, but when the games started to count, he became a prime option for Carolina in the red zone. Waller had a short touchdown called back due to a penalty in Week 1, but he found the end zone twice in Week 2. The 34-year-old caught all five of his targets for 61 yards in his two games and will continue to be a go-to option in the red zone due to his ability to win contested catches. He only played 35% of the team's snaps in Week 1 and 44% of the snaps in Week 2, so there is also the potential for more growth in other areas of the field as he settles into the team's offense. Waller is definitely a tight end on the rise and is a pickup to consider in all formats if you need tight end help. This week, he and the Panthers visit the Browns in Cleveland.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Darren Waller Has Played His Way onto 12-Team Rosters
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller made the most of limited work Sunday, catching all three of his targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-3 win over Atlanta. The touchdowns will get the attention, but the role still needs some context. Waller played 29 offensive snaps, or 44%, while Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans both played more. That was still a step up from Week 1, when Waller logged 24 snaps and had a touchdown wiped out by penalty. Carolina clearly has a use for him near the goal line, and this is not new territory. Waller scored six times on only 24 catches for Miami last season. The volume may stay frustrating, but tight end is thin enough that those scoring chances matter. RotoBaller's Week 3 waiver coverage has him as an add in 12-team leagues, with one column calling him a must-add at that depth. He is worth picking up now, but managers should expect some low-target weeks along the way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Tavion Sanders a Healthy Scratch Again in Week 2
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders finds himself as a healthy inactive for the second straight week in Week 2 on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Sanders has become the odd man out in the Panthers' tight end room early in the 2026 season, which was expected to be the case after the team added veteran pass-catching tight end Darren Waller to the mix during training camp. With Sanders in street clothes again this weekend, the Panthers will roll with Waller, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Feleipe Franks at the position in Atlanta. Waller is the most fantasy-relevant of the group, but he is still a tough sell as a starter in fantasy football lineups as he continues to work his way into football shape. The 34-year-old caught both of his targets for 28 yards in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears. For now, Sanders is off the fantasy radar in basically all leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Darren Waller a Boom-or-Bust Tight End Option Vs. Atlanta
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller caught both of his targets for 28 receiving yards in last Sunday's 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 34-year-old did have a one-yard touchdown called back on a penalty. Waller signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Panthers during training camp and did not play a preseason game. He will look to build chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young as he continues to learn Carolina's offense. The veteran TE is a boom-or-bust option in fantasy as he rotated with Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans throughout Week 1. Waller logged 24 snaps compared to Tremble's 34 and Evans' 27. Waller is touchdown-dependent and is an option in very deep leagues, and is RotoBaller's TE32 in the latest Week 2 rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller Active for Week 1 Season Opener
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller is officially active for his debut with the Panthers in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Darin Gantt of the team's official website. With Waller active, Ja'Tavion Sanders is the odd man out as a healthy inactive to begin the 2026 season. Waller said earlier this week that he was practicing as if he was going to play against the Bears, and that turns out to be the case. However, the 34-year-old veteran will most likely be on a snap count as the Panthers continue to ease him into their offense after signing him in training camp. The Panthers also have Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Feleipe Franks active to help carry the workload at tight end on Sunday against Chicago. Waller certainly has the most fantasy football appeal of any tight end on Carolina's roster for his red-zone prowess, but durability is a major concern, and he should be left out of starting lineups in Week 1, even in two-TE leagues.
Source: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
Source: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
Ja'Tavion Sanders a Healthy Scratch for Week 1
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is a healthy inactive for the team's season opener in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, according to Darin Gantt of the team's official website. Sanders will not play to begin the season and has become the odd man out in the Panthers' TE room after they signed veteran Darren Waller during training camp this summer. In addition to Waller, Carolina has Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Feleipe Franks on the active roster for Sunday's game. The 23-year-old Sanders, a fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas, has caught only 62 of his 77 targets for 532 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games (13 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, and barring an injury to one of the team's other TEs, he could be a healthy scratch again in Week 2 when the Panthers take on the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Source: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
Source: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
If Active, Darren Waller a Dart Throw in Week 1 Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller signed a one-year contract with the Panthers this offseason and is expected to be the team's starting tight end. Waller practiced all week and recently worked with the first-team offense, with the plan to play in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Waller is not on the injury report for Week 1, but continues to ramp up his conditioning after joining the team in mid-August. The 33-year-old caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games for the Dolphins last season. He gives quarterback Bryce Young a red zone weapon, but the Bears were stingy against tight ends last year, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Waller ranks 31st in our tight end rankings and is mainly an option in deep-league TE premium leagues heading into Week 1. Even if Waller is active, he should be left on the bench and is a dart throw at best for the regular season opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
